Ever since Megan Markle stunned us with her classic bateau-neckline wedding dress, we’ve been loving this regal look.
The bateau or boatneck neckline features a wide, high neckline that follows the natural curve of ones collarbone and traditionally ends at the shoulder points. The style was actually made famous by Audrey Hepbrun in the 1954 film Sabrina, thus earning the nickname ‘Sabrina neckline’.
Bateau necklines give an effortlessly vintage and classic feel, perfect for the timeless bride. Here are a few of our favourites:
The coronavirus pandemic has affected people beyond the scope of what we thought possible. A simple thing like spending time together has been taken away from many considered ‘high-risk’.
Such is the story of Bob and Nancy Shellard from Vernon, Connecticut. The pair celebrates their 67th wedding anniversary this year. However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Bob was not allowed inside the nursing home Nancy is staying in. The governor of Connecticut had banned nursing home visits for 30 days for concern of the health of the elderly.
The couple have never spent their anniversary apart, and Bob was not about to allow this to be the first time. He decided to celebrate outside Nancy’s window at the nursing home by holding up a sign that read “I’ve loved you 67 years and still do. Happy Anniversary.”
In response, Nancy sent air kisses and waves from inside the nursing home.
“It makes me feel bad because I want her down with me and I know she can’t be,” Bob told NBC Connecticut.
Speaking to NBC Connecticut, the couple’s daughter Laura said, “They have always been an inspiration to us and I think just seeing every year go by that they still express it in some way on their anniversary.”
“It’s just been an example for us, for all of us of kids. So all four of us have really learned a lot from them and I can only hope that I have half as much as what they have shared over the years.”
Romantic and exciting, destination weddings have been trending for many years. However, they also have tons of drawbacks. From all the possible legal complications and the fact that not all your guests can afford the pricey airplane ticket to a foreign destination, those opting to tie the knot in a different country will have to make sacrifices on their big day. Instead of limiting your dream wedding, why not go local?
From Parys to Potchefstroom, there are so many small towns in the country that give you that private, destination feel without breaking the bank. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a serene day only a few hours away.
One particular wedding venue we’ve been loving is the Nut Farm. Situated in Hartbeespoort, Skeerpoort, the Nut Farm offers spectacular mountain views worthy of your vows. Say your ‘I do’s’ at their open-air chapel with the serene farmland that paints an unforgettable backdrop for your wedding, or go traditional with their inside chapel situated on the second floor of the reception area. Guests will have a beautiful birds eye view of the bride as she makes her entrance, as well as stunning views of the famous Hartbeespoort Dam.
With a spacious reception area, mobile bar and hidden outside fireplaces, this wedding venue serves as a blank canvas for you to live out your vision. Their orchard accommodates intimate or larger celebrations of 200 guests.
Brittany Snow was a blushing bride this weekend. The Pitch Perfect actress said ‘I do’ to longtime beau Tyler Stanaland this past Saturday in an intimate ceremony at Cielo Farms in Malibu, California.
Snow wore a long-sleeved wedding dress with a low back for her big day. Her hair was pinned back in a low bun and adorned with white flowers. Tyler and his groomsmen donned black tuxedos and Converse shoes.
According to reports, the bride walked down the aisle with her beloved pet pooch Billie by her side. As it rained on the day, the ceremony was moved from the lawn area to a covered terrace.
The pair began dating in 2018 when Stanaland, a realtor, reached out to the actress via Instagram.
“I knew of Britt for obvious reasons,” Stanaland told The Knot. “But Britt was my unattainable crush forever. As a man, I used to watch ‘Pitch Perfect’ with friends and, ‘Brittany Snow… One day.’ But never thinking it would ever happen.”
“I sent a direct message with the most embarrassing pickup line. A dad joke,” he explains. “I’m so surprised we’re getting married.”
I saw his Instagram and knew of him,” Snow also told The Knot. “And was like, ‘That is the best looking man ever.’ I always knew of him and was like, I’ll never meet him. My girlfriends and I had an inside joke where my one best friend referred to him as my ‘dream boyfriend who lives in Orange County,’ but I was never gonna meet him. And then one day I realized he was following me on Instagram. I got really excited.”
You should never have to be cold, especially not on your wedding day. Stay stylish and cosy with a bridal shawl!
Bridal shawls will come in handy during those chillier evenings, especially now as the weather begins to transition into a new season. Go simple with wedding white, or add some flair with a fun pattern for that extra boho feel.
For some, fast food is love, fast food is life. Clearly this couple believes this, so much so that they decided to hold their wedding reception at their favourite fast-food burger joint, Whataburger.
Sharon Arteaga and Dylan Welch of Corpus Christi, Texas have been together for five years. When they first met on a night out, they ended their evening with a meal at Whataburger. Since then, the pair continued to visit this burger joint and would often have big discussions there.
“The Whataburger near my now-husband’s house at the time is a very busy one, so we spent time in the drive-through getting to know each other at first in the early days of us dating, but then over time we had more serious conversations,” Arteaga told Insider. “We talked about how we would want to raise future children together and got on the same page about a lot of things during late-night conversations at Whataburger.”
Fast forward a few years, the couple got engaged. Imagine their surprise when Whataburger ran a competition offering six couples across Texas the chance to tie the knot at various Whataburger locations. Sharon and Dylan won the grand prize, allowing them to marry at the flagship Whataburger location free of charge. The entire wedding was planned by the Whataburger team.
Credit: Instagram / Josh Huskin
“We let them do as much of what they wanted to do as possible. That was one of the best parts of having someone else put on our wedding for us,” Arteaga said.
Their wedding venue was decorated in the traditional white and orange Whataburger colours, and also featured a Whataburger-themed Ford Shelby Cobra getaway car, Dylan’s nephew as the onion ring bearer, and, of course, free Whataburger meals for the entire party. Their flower girls through petals out of french fry cartons.
If you’re a lover of delicate detail, this one’s for you. Hand-painted wedding cakes have been trending for a while now as an easy way to dress up the simple white fondant.
Let your cake designer flex their artistic capabilities by hand-painting your sweet treats. Not only is this unique and trendy, hand-painted cakes go with any wedding style. Go minimalist with delicate florals or bold with a detailed design.
Sky-diving from 10 000 feet in the air is a rush as it is, but this man decided to add another thrilling element by proposing!
When 26-year-old Blake Miller knew he wanted to propose to girlfriend Laura Wittmann, 26, skydiving seemed like the natural way to do it.
“We are both so passionate about skydiving. There was no other place that I wanted to propose than when we were on a jump together.” he told Metro UK.
He waited for the right time to pop the big question.
“I brought the ring with me every time we went to the skydiving center but it was never the right jump with the right conditions.”
Finally, the right time came, and close friend Josh Maxfield wore a camera on his helmet to film the proposal.
“He had the camera secretly filming as we were going up to altitude. I was extremely nervous. I was worried Laura would get emotional and make the jump a little harder. I made sure I proposed halfway up so we had enough time to settle down and focus on the jump.”
Wittman was surprised by the proposal, but of course said yes.
“I hadn’t expected it at all,” she said. “It was a normal jump with our friends. Blake was moving around in the plane and I was getting annoyed with him because you are not supposed to do that. When he turned around, I was kind of mad at him but then he proposed and it was really awesome.”
“I was just worried about the ring,” she explained. “I put it on my finger and closed my fist during the jump.”
Watch the video of their engagement here:
The pair plan to tie the knot in a hot air balloon before skydiving out of the balloon as husband and wife.
Quoin Rock Wine Estate may be known for its exceptional wine and cuisine, but one of the defining features of this award-winning estate is an opulent Manor House offering spectacular views that stretch as far as Lions Head and False Bay.
This exclusive private residence is situated at 400m above sea level and is thought to be the highest residential property in the Western Cape. Surrounded by manicured lawns, edged by captivating beds of roses, the Manor House setting is nothing short of exceptional. Framed by rolling vineyards and distant mountain peaks, guests here are entranced with heavenly views enhanced by brilliant, balmy sunsets.
On par with luxury villas popular for family travel, this Cape Dutch-styled home caters for the top-end international market. Its lavish styling includes imported Italian furniture, crystal chandeliers and antique cabinets. Dutch finishes are offset by the work of some of South Africa’s finest artists, including a piece by sculptor Joanne Doyle. Well-situated in a totally secluded part of the estate, the calling cards of the Manor House are exclusivity and ultimate privacy, making this perfect for multi-generational family vacations.
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“The Manor House accommodates 14 people and has seven bedrooms. The main house features 5 bedrooms, with two private cottages containing two bedrooms each, accommodating a total of 14. We offer different packages – bed and breakfast, or full board,” Hospitality Manager Lana Maydew explains. “We have a butler and manager, so guests always have someone looking after them. It’s fit for a king.”
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Other amenities for guests staying at The Manor House include a sauna, underfloor heating and the option of booking a private chef, hair and beauty treatments, or tours to nearby Stellenbosch or beyond. The old-world charm is enhanced with a stunning courtyard pool and terrace, where one can relax and take in the gorgeous views of the Simonsberg – offering a true nature experience which allows guests to totally connect to nature.
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The Manor House is also available for exclusive intimate weddings, with the landscaped lawns serving as the perfect location for a private ceremony. Larger weddings and special events are well-catered for in a function hall accommodating parties of 150 pax seated and 300 pax cocktail style, while the neighbouring Knorhoek Estate is also available for wedding parties of between 120 – 150 people seated.
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Recently refurbished by the Gaiduk family, Quoin Rock is the ultimate destination for individuals seeking the exceptional – exclusive private accommodation, magnificent views, incomparable cuisine and a remarkable setting.
Once you’ve made your walk down the aisle, all eyes will be on you and your partner as you say your I do’s. As beautiful as you two are, the space behind you should be too. Add excitement to your wedding venue with a creative ceremony backdrop.
As one of the first decor pieces your guests will see during the day, your ceremony backdrop is an excellent chance to get your wedding theme started in style. They’re also really great for covering up eyesores like cracks in the walls or that one light fixture that keeps flickering. Another bonus: you’ll have some pretty epic Instagram shots!
Here are some creative ideas we love to get your own creative juices flowing: